Balkhash Lake is the 13th in the list of the biggest lakes in the world. This lake is unique: narrow strait divides it into two parts; those parts have different chemical characteristics of water; water is fresh in the western part, and brackish in the eastern part. Ili, Karatal, Aksu, Lepsy and Ayaguz Rivers flow into the lake.
Area of the lake is 16,4 thousand square kilometers; it lies at an altitude of about 340 meters above sea level and has a beautiful crescent shape. It is about 600 kilometers long and its width varies from 9 to 74 kilometers.
Turanga, willow, reed and rush is the major vegetation. White swans are decoration and symbol of Balkhash Lake, although, they can be seen only in some parts of it; but pelicans are true owners of their territory. Balkhash Lake is also the habitat for big gannets, teals, pheasants, golden eagles, egrets and muskrat. Wild boars can be met in canebrakes.
Time can wonderfully be spent in leisure houses and wild beaches on the Territory of Balkhash Lake; you can also go fishing or even hunting for grouse, duck, partridge, rabbit, fox and even wolf with specially trained birds.
Bektauata mountain chain is the most beautiful place of Northern Balkhash. Pink top of Bektauata peak soars up to 1,000 meters. In fair weather the scenic landscape can be seen for hundred of kilometers. Bektauata mountain chain is not very long, about 4,000 ha, but it is embellished with different rocks and gorges. Granite rocks of bizarre forms leave unforgettable impression and they have different names: mushroom, trunk, turtle etc.
Services and prices on ecological sight of Shashubai (Balkhash)
| Populated area (village) | Shashubai |
 | 1 guest house (4 places), resort & zhailau are available |
 | Almaty, Astana (airport – 600 km), Balkhash (train station, bus – 15 km) |
| Season of stay | 5-9, 12-2 months |
 | 5000 KZT, all facilities are outside the house |
 | Balkhash Lake, Bektau Ata mountains |
 | Soviet architecture of Balkhash city |
 | Yes |
 | Sport and winter fishing |
 | +7 701 244 36 99, sayat_beisembeko@mail.ru, (Sayat Beisembekov)
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How to get there
There are two ways to get to Balkhash.
The first is to get to Lepsy station from Almaty or Astana, and then to the lake by taxi or bus.
The second and much more interesting option is to go by your own car. The route runs along the road from Almaty to Ust-Kamenogorsk, Taldykorgan city and then goes to Lepsy station. Travel time is from 4 to 6 hours, depending on the speed. You won’t be bored during this trip. The track impresses with variety of landscapes from mountains and steppes to sand dunes; there are also a lot of turns and ascent-descent places on the road.
You can plan and book your trip to Balkhash in advance through ecotourism Informational resource center: ecocentre.kz@gmail.com
